Hitching and unhitching a 5th wheel

[swburbguy]

I'm a newbie camper 3yrs. I'm thinking of getting a 5th wheel. I have a dumb question to ask. Can 5th wheels be hitched and unhitched from the side?

[Sea_Six]

I'd be concerned about popping the tires off the rims, depending on terrain.

Or might break the bead and lose pressure, at the least.

[northmeck0255]

Be very careful you don't poke a hole with the corner of your tailgate. You might consider removing it.

[calamus]

JohnnyT wrote:
I think he is asking if the Tow Vehicle has to be in line with the trailer to hitch and unhitch. I have only ever had goosenecks and the answer with a gooseneck is no.

JohnnyT

Im not sure what you are thinking here but I back the goose neck in the shop all the time and the pickup is at least on a 60 degree angle from the trailer. as long as the hitch is over the ball you can back in at any angle. Granted it is easier to back straight on it is possible. Our 5th wheel has the concave corners and you are able to get 80 degree turns the small campsites here are tight to back into so the truck is always 45 degrees or so when unhooking and hooking up.

[MFL]

Some hitches work better than others, when hooking up/ unhooking at an angle. It is more noticeable when the truck is uneven with the trailer.

Jerry

[noteven]

Yes you can hook up on an angle. Do you have room for the rear of the trailer to swing in and out of the parking spot as you park or leave at an angle?

[swburbguy]

Sorry guys I should have been more clear. With the length of my drive by my unattached garage I would have to park my 5th wheel at an angle. It wouldn't be at a full 90 degree maybe 20 30 degree to trailer.

[nazpaz]

Perhaps you are talking about a Pullrite Superglide hitch? If so, the manual says the hookup and release angle must be no more than 16 degrees.

I've heard of people, in an emergency, pulling the pins on the hitch and driving out from under the kingpin, then removing the hitch (not leaving it dangling from the kingpin). As you can guess hooking back up would be a whole different kettle of fish, depending on the situation.

[2oldman]

I don't know what he means until he clears it up...or maybe the angels will.

[Cummins12V98]

hermandutchman wrote:
If you mean at a 90 degree angel, then yes you can. The big problem is that when you pull away you will put extreme twist on the tires which could damage them, also could damage frame.

If damage happens in that situation then the tires and frame were not worth having. JMHO

[rhagfo]

hermandutchman wrote:
If you mean at a 90 degree angel, then yes you can. The big problem is that when you pull away you will put extreme twist on the tires which could damage them, also could damage frame.

WHY, WHY do so many think the suspension under your 5er is made of glass and will be damaged the first time you look at it side ways! Not something I want to do every day, but will not damage the frame or suspension, not the best for tread life as it will create a lot of tread scrub. The biggest issues would be the strain on the Landing gear, this is the one case where I would have the pin box and the hitch very close to the same level.

[2112]

My SuperGlide would not allow this. I have to be within 20 degrees or so.

[JohnnyT]

I think he is asking if the Tow Vehicle has to be in line with the trailer to hitch and unhitch. I have only ever had goosenecks and the answer with a gooseneck is no.

JohnnyT

[Old-Biscuit]

If you mean connecting 5vr to hitch in truck bed---sideways?

YES (with caution)...you must back into 5vr king pin with it aligned up with hitch provided you have enough truck cab to 5vr front cab clearance, not only when hitching but when you straighten out



IF you mean operating the hitch?

YES...the latch handle is right next to drivers side of truck bed.
After hitching then you secure handle with clasp/pin and do a visual check that jaws are closed around king pin


otherwise.....och!

[hermandutchman]

If you mean at a 90 degree angel, then yes you can. The big problem is that when you pull away you will put extreme twist on the tires which could damage them, also could damage frame.

[Z-Peller]

Makes sense to me.....I think he's asking if a truck can back under & hitch up 5th wheel at an angle other than straight back inline with the trailer.......truck somewhere between 0 and 90 degrees to the trailer.....